Written December 31, 2024
Hello Dear Readers,
It seems like our front yard tree had a wardrobe malfunction—it shed almost all its autumn attire during the windy weather this past week. Now, the yard looks like it’s hosting a fall leaf convention, and I’ve been playing the reluctant clean-up crew. My strategy has been to tackle the mess in short bursts whenever I can squeeze in the time. Today, I managed a good round of leaf collection and made noticeable progress. However, the leaves were a bit damp, thanks to rain earlier in the week, which made the process more of a wrestling match than a quick rake-and-dump. Despite my best efforts, there’s still a good chunk of the yard that needs attention. Looks like Thursday is going to be round two in the Great Leaf Battle.
The weather has been acting downright strange lately. Late December has felt more like an extended autumn—almost as if Demeter momentarily forgot to mourn for Persephone. My wife, ever the opportunist when it comes to cardio, has been taking full advantage of the unseasonal warmth. She’s been out there pounding the pavement, determined to make the most of these rare, mild days before 2025 inevitably brings the frost. Rest days? Not in her vocabulary. I’m pretty sure she considers them some kind of mythical creature—like unicorns or guilt-free dessert.
When we first met, I used to worry about her nonstop energy. Would she burn out? Would she ever just… relax? But over the years, I’ve realized that being busy is her happy place. Whether she’s running, planning, or tackling a new project, she thrives on momentum. Watching her in action is like watching a perfectly balanced storm—it’s chaos, but it works.
Meanwhile, today is New Year’s Eve, and things at our house have been a flurry of activity. My wife has been knee-deep in business prep, so I’ve taken on the role of house manager, running around to get everything in order. Between tidying up and ticking off the to-do list, I’ve been keeping the domestic ship afloat.
Even with all the busyness, we always make time to chat. Our conversations are mostly about books, ideas, and the occasional “what if” scenario. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite things about our relationship. We’re both a little nerdy and endlessly curious, so we never run out of things to talk about. Whether it’s debating the symbolism in a classic novel or brainstorming the next big idea, our conversations are as energizing as they are entertaining.
Tonight, though, we’re hitting pause on all the hustle to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Our plan? A cozy night with Irish coffee—a tradition we’ve lovingly adopted—and maybe, if I can convince her, a game night. I got a new board game for Christmas that I’m dying to try, but I should probably read the rules first. No one wants to start the new year by looking like they don’t know how to play their own game.
Here’s to a fun-filled evening and an even better 2025!